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Letters of Francis William Kimble
14th Iowa Infantry, Company 'B'
Presented by the Iowa Civil War Site
Letter number twelve
Freedon & Union Cairo, Ills. June the 17th, 1863
Dear Mother I seat myself to answer your kind letter that I received no
longer since than yesterday. I was glad to hear that you are well. Mother I
am well at present and in good spirits. The soldiers is enjoying very good
health in Cairo at the present time. We have had very cool weather for a few
days back considering the place that we are situated in. But it is most
exceeding warm this morning. It was very unpleasant this morning delaying our
guard mounting but we must get used to hot weather so I will not grumble
about it. Mother I think that Co B has been living on their white flower
since we have been in the army for we have had very nice times till now. But
I think that it will be different before long. For 4 of our company has gone
down to Columbus, KY. The companys that went was as follows: Co. F, G, A and
E. We don't know but we will have to follow them soon and we don't know when
we will. We cannot leave here now for there is no soldiers to take our
places. It would not do for us to leave Cairo to the citizens for they are
most all b-d copperheads in this town. We are a cleaning them out. The
provost guard shot 2 of them a few nights since. Mother I feel for
copperheads but I cannot reach them. But I only hope that justice will reach
them for I think a northern traitor is worse than three in the army. Mother I
am rather inclined to think that the old gentleman is one of them. And I
think you all talk rather unfavorable of the Union. If you are all of that
class I will find somebody elso to write to for you know that I don't like
them. I class them with a rattlesnake or more plainly the devil. I guess that
is enough politics. Well Mother there has been about 20 regts of soldiers
went down the river last week to reinforce Gen Grant. Amongst the rest was
the 19th Iowa. I had the pleasure of seeing several of the boys that I knew
before they went in the army. I seen Caldon Stump. He said that he was in the
battle at Perory Grove. He did not get a scratch. But Mother where was
several of the boys that I got acquainted with down about the summit that was
killed in the fight. Dad I seen Frank Brown from Stumptown and Notty Garrison
and James Scoot that used to live in Iowaville. He belongs to Co B of the
19th regt. He said I must tell you that he send his respects to you. Mother
you wanted to know what me and bib had a fallout about. I guess that she is
mad about a verse that I wrote in a letter. I will send you the verse and I
want to know about what you think of the verse. Mother as for the hair that
you wanted I must say that it is to short to send you a lock. Mother the
picture is my old bunk mate. I want you to take care of it for me. Tell James
he is quite welcome to the drum.Eliza I would like to hear from you. I must
stop for this time so no more. From your son Francis W. Kimble to Mary A.
Kimble.
Dottie [email protected]
Transcribed and submitted by great great niece
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Iowa In the Civil War
